Boombox Blitz: The Blam Blams glow up in vibrant new video, ‘Arc Light City’

Welcome to Boombox Blitz, an artist spotlight series showcasing overlooked singers, songwriters and musicians who are quietly taking over the world.

“Well, I’ve been sitting in the dark too long / I gotta bring up the lights / Gonna have some fun,” singer and musician Bradley Owens admits over gummy guitars with “Arc Light City.” As lead vocalist of Nashville’s glitter-pop four-piece The Blam Blams, also including members Christian Northover (drums), David Estes (guitar, producer), and Rob Stewart (bass), Owens’ vocal radiates sparks that seem to pulsate and ignite the sky. There’s a raw electricity in every single syllable, making it all the more fitting that the band’s latest cut arrives at the tailend of Pride.

“Well I can’t wait baby one more night / Why do I hold on when you’ve already made up your mind tonight,” Owens later yowls. ’70s electric guitar shimmers in the backdrop, lending a certain bite and magic. The visual, filmed in different locations (because pandemic!), is a gleeful romp of makeup, glitter, and flowy outfits, perfect for the summer and celebrating identity. Three-fourths queer, The Blam Blams delight in their daring, contagious freedom of expression that coats the screen. They are a force.

“Arc Light City” samples the band’s forthcoming concept album called Opening Night (out this August), which depicts the fictional story of Sydney Fabel, a queer artist/actor, and his expeditions across ’70s London. This particularly groovy number follows Fabel as he “goes downtown to drown his sorrows and meet some new people in the wake of his breakup with Isabella,” the band explains.  “Arc Light City’ is the name he gives to London’s West End, an area teeming with nightlife, especially among the theatrical community and the queer community. Sydney hopes to meet some people like him there.”

Watch below:

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